Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Upgrade to Navy Seahawks
15 January 2006
Navy Seahawk helicopter crews will be provided with night vision capabilities to increase crew safety and their ability to carry out search and rescue operations more effectively at night.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said the $5.45 million project will be over two years and will provide night vision goggles to all Navy Seahawk aircrew as well as external lighting to the fleet of 16 Seahawk helicopters.
The night vision capability is the first phase of Project 1809 and will contribute to an overall upgrade of the Seahawk helicopters, aimed at boosting the Navy's aviation capability, particularly during joint operations.
The new night vision capability will increase the capability of the Navy's 816 Squadron based at Nowra, allowing low-level night operations over land and sea, Senator Hill said.
"The capacity for these Seahawk helicopters to conduct search and rescue operations at night will be increased and the safety to the aircrew during any night time operations will be improved.
"It will also increase the Seahawk squadron's expertise in tactical night time flying, as well as open up more opportunities to work within others during night time operations and exercises."
This upgrade is expected to be in service from 2007-08.
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